India Strikes Terror Hubs in Pakistan; Ceasefire Agreed, Then Violated
India conducted 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, striking nine terror targets in Pakistan, killing over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets, and causing 35-40 Pakistani Army casualties, according to India's DGMO. All Indian pilots returned safely. A ceasefire was agreed upon from May 10 evening following talks, possibly mediated by the US. However, India reported Pakistan violated the ceasefire within hours by flying drones over Kashmir, prompting Indian counter-actions. Two Indian personnel (IAF, BSF) were martyred in earlier cross-border firing.
Unpacked:
Operation Sindoor was triggered by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. India chose deep strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to signal a new doctrine: it would treat both terrorists and their state sponsors as legitimate targets and respond with visible, proportional retaliation.
Pakistan rejected India’s outreach and threatened retaliation, then launched unprovoked attacks targeting Indian civilians and religious sites. These retaliatory strikes resulted in the deaths of 16 Indian civilians and limited damage to Indian Air Force stations. The situation escalated until a ceasefire was brokered on May 10.
India’s new counterterrorism doctrine discards the old distinction between terrorists and state sponsors, targeting both. The operation included deep strikes into Pakistan’s mainland, not just border areas, signaling that no area supporting terror is off-limits. This marks a significant escalation and sets a new red line for future responses to cross-border terrorism.
The ceasefire, agreed upon on May 10, was reportedly reached after talks possibly mediated by the US. International mediation likely helped both sides de-escalate the conflict and avoid further military escalation, though specific details of the US’s involvement have not been made public.